Coin operated bag and magazine dispenser

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to a dispenser and more specifically to a coin actuator dispenser for dispensing plastic shopping bags, magazines or other like articles. The dispenser comprises essentially a housing for containing a stack of superposed plastic bags, magazines or articles in which a mean is provided for individually dispensing the articles one at a time by peeling off the uppermost article from the stack of articles each time a coin of proper denomination is inserted into the coin slot of the machine.

United States Patent Inventor Stanley Brenner Massapequa, NX.

Appl. No. 846,319

Filed July 31,1969

Patented June 22, 1971 Assignee John R. Lebb Distributors Inc.

New York, N.Y. Continuatiomin-part of application Ser. No. 715,935, Mar. 25, 1968, now Patent No. 3,503,481.

COIN OPERATED BAG AND MAGAZINE DISPENSER 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 221/259 Int. Cl 865g 59/00 Field of Search 194/10;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,325,164 6/1967 Kedzierski 221/259 X 3,503,481 3/1970 Brenner 221/259 X I Primary ExaminerStanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Arthur T. Fattibene ABSTRACT: This disclosure is directed to a dispenser and more specifically to a coin actuator dispenser for dispensing plastic shopping bags, magazines or other like articles. The dispenser comprises essentially a housing for containing a stack of superposed plastic bags, magazines or articles in which a mean is provided for individually dispensing the articles one at a time by peeling off the uppermost article from the stack of articles each time a coin of proper denomination is inserted into the coin slot of the machine.

PATENTED .1un22 I971 SHEET 2 OF 2 I NVEN TOR.

STANLEY BREN BY I Myfm AT TORNEY COIN OPERATED BAG AND MAGAZINE DISPENSER RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation in part application of a pending Pat. application Ser. No. 715,935 filed Mar. 25, 1968 for Bag Dispenser, now U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,503,481.

PROBLEMS AND PRIOR ART Many retail outlets make shopping bags available for the convenience of their customers. Heretofore such shopping bags were distributed from dispensers located at strategic positions throughout the retail outlet. Such bag dispensers generally comprised an open stand or rack from which the shopping bags werepurchased by customers who so desired them. Because the shopping bags constituted a more complimentary service on the part of the retail outlet, the shopping bag dispensing stands were generally left unattended. For this reason the respective owners of such retail outlets relied solely on customers honor and good will to pay for the shopping bag. This was accomplished by simply locating a coin box adjacent an open stand on which such shopping bags were hung, with the store owner relying on the customers integrity to deposit the proper coin if such bag was purchased. However, operators of such outlets soon experienced that dispensing of shopping bags in this manner was not entirely satisfactory, as many purchasers would help themselves to the bags without paying for them.

To obviate the loss of revenue resulting in dispensing of such shopping bags by customers on an honor system, efforts have been made to develop coin operated dispensing means which would prohibit the removal of shopping bags until a coin of proper denomination has been deposited.

Because such shopping bags were heretofore generally formed of a paper material, the coin operated dispensers which have been developed are capable of dispensing shopping bags made of a paper material only. Examples of such shopping bag dispensers are illustrated in my copending application, Ser. No. 590,060, filed .Ian. 11, l968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,296; and by prior U.S. patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,l 19,484. However, the manufacturers of shopping bags recently have been tending toward the manufacture of such shopping bags from a plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, instead of paper. Also the construction of the shopping bag as a result of the change in material has also undergone some radical constructional changes. Due to the constructional changes made in such shopping bags, they can not be adequately dispensed from the known shopping bag dispensers. Generally the newly constructed shopping bags consist of a plastic envelope in which there is provided adjacent the open end thereof a looped hem through which a draw string is provided. Because of the inherent characteristics of the plastic material from which the newly developed shopping bags are formed and the specific construction thereof, considerable difficulty has been encountered in developing a dispenser whereby such bags can be readily dispensed one at a time each time a coin of proper denomination has been deposited into the coin slot of the dispenser.

Another article of manufacture which can be dispensed is a magazine or other article which can be readily stacked, e.g. newspapers, books and the like. Certain magazines, like the plastic bag have slick type paper which may cause difficulty in dispensing the magazine by peeling one off the upper end ofa stack. For these reasons dispensing devices were not readily adapted to such magazines. Consequently it was heretofore customary to sell such magazines from open newstands which required the presence of an attendant.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a dispenser which is particularly adapted to automatically effect the dispensing of plastic type shopping bags, magazines or the like, one at a time, each time a coin of proper denomination is deposited therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coin operated dispenser for dispensing plastic shopping bags or magazines and the like which is electrical-mechanical in operation so as to render the operation of the dispenser positive during a dispensing operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plastic shopping bag or magazine dispenser which is of relatively simple construction, positive in operation, and relatively inexpensive to fabricate and to operate.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser in which shopping bags, magazines or other articles are.

completely housed so that pilferage of the article is rendered impossible and from which an article will not be dispensed unless a proper coin is deposited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects, and other features and advantages of the invention are attained by a housing for enclosing therein a stack of superposed plastic bags, magazines or other stackable articles. A dispensing means is disposed within the housing for effecting the dispensing of the articles one at a time from the stack of articles within the housing. The dispensing means comprises a movable carrier having at least one dispensing wheel rotatably journaled thereto which is adapted to be disposed in rolling engagement with the uppermost article of the stack. A means may operatively be associated with the carrier and wheel to counterbalance or bias the dispensing wheel with a predetermined force and/.or weighted by gravity against the uppermost article of said stack. The amount of force which the wheel exerts on the uppermost bag is just sufficient to insure displacement or peeling off of only the uppermost article whenever the dispensing means is actuated. A means is provided to effect rotation or drive of the dispensing wheel to effect the displacement or peeling of the uppermost article from the stack of articles each time the drive is actuated, and a means is provided for determining the rotation of the dispensing wheel when the uppermost article has moved beyond rolling engagement with the wheel. In this manner the dispensing of the next succeeding article is prohibited until such time that an additional coin is deposited within the meter. Means are also provided for indicating when the number of articles contained within the dispenser falls below a predetermined number so that an operator will be alerted as to when the supply of articles is to be replenished.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a dispenser having a dispensing wheel which is disposed in nonslipping arrangement with the uppermost article of a stack of such articles so that only one article 'will be peeled off the top of the stack each time the wheel is rendered operative.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a dispenser for plastic shopping bags or magazines or the like which can be readily loaded with a minimum of effort and a maximum of ease.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an article dispenser in which the articles to be dispensed can be simply stacked within the housing of the dispenser one on the other.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a plastic shopping bag, magazine or article dispenser having a relatively simple control circuit operatively associated with the dispensing mechanism to effect the control thereof.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a shopping bag or article dispenser wherein the slippery characteristics of the plastic or slick material, from which such articles are made is utilized to effect the dispensing of the article.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the shopping bag dispenser of this invention having portions thereof broken away.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the dispensing means taken along line 2-2 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electric circuit by which the dispenser of FIG. 1 is actuated.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the type of plastic shopping bag of the type dispensed by the dispensing apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified dispenser adapted for dispensing magazines and similar articles, having portions broken away.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective detail of the dispensing means employed in the dispenser of FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 4 there is disclosed therein a shopping bag construction 10 which comprises an envelope 11 formed of a plastic material, e.g. polyethylene or the like, which has formed adjacent the open end thereof a loop or hem 11A through which a draw string 12 is threaded. A central portion and end portions of the hem are cut away as at 13 and 14 to expose the draw string 12 whereby the same may be pulled to close the bag, or form a handle. Such plastic shopping bags 10 form a much more appealing and stronger construction than the conventional paper type shopping bags heretofore utilized. Furthermore, the plastic bag 10 with draw string 12 provides a closure not possible with the paper construction. Because of the convenience, attractiveness and advantages attained by plastic shopping bags of the type illustrated in FIG. 4, more of the manufacturers are going to the construction of plastic shopping bags, as distinguished fromthe paper-type shopping bags.

Because of this development considerable difficulties have been encountered in dispensing plastic-type shopping bags. This is because the inherent characteristic of the material from which such plastic shopping bags are made and the specific construction thereof does not make such bags readily dispensable from the known bag dispensers.

In FIG. 1 there is'illustrated a coin actuated dispensing device 15 from which plastic shopping bags 10 of the type herein described can be readily dispensed. The dispenser device 15 comprises a housing 16 defined by front and rear panels 17, 18 interconnected by sidepanels 19, 20 and closed at the top and bottom by means of a top panel 21 and a bottom panel 22. A rear or backwall 23 is provided with the enclosure 24 of the housing 16 which inclines upwardly and rearwardly at an angle toward the back panel 18. Intermediate the height of the enclosure 24 defined by the housing 16 there is provided a bottom wall 25 which is preferably disposed at an angle of 90 to the backwall 23. Because of the inherent characteristic of the plastic bags, which are generally formed of a polyethylene type plastic, to slide and slip when stacked one on the other, there is provided in the bottom wall 24 a hump 25A disposedintermediate the front and rear edges and extending transversely thereof. As best seen in FIG. 1, the arrangement is such that when a stack of plastic bags are superimposed one on the other on the bottom wall 25 they are arcuately deformed and tend to lean toward the backwall. Thus the angle at which the stack is disposed is such that there is no tendency of any of the bags in the stack to slide forwardly.

The front edge of the bottom wall 25 is provided with an apron 26 which extends downwardly therefrom. The lower edge of the apron 26 is provided with an upwardly turned lip 27 arranged to communicate with a slotted opening 28 formed in the front panel 17 through which a bag is dispensed.

In the described dispenser 15 the bags 10 to be dispensed are required to be merely stacked one on the other within the enclosure, and the shape of the bottom wall 25 is such that the column of bags stacked therein will assume a concave arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be understood that suitable access may be had to the interior of the housing sidewall for loading the bags thereinto.

Referring to FIG. 4 it is to be noted that the portion of the bag adjacent the looped end through which the draw string is positioned forms a portion which is somewhat thicker than the bottom portion of the bag. Accordingly in stacking'the bags within the dispenser 15, it is to be noted, that the bags are alternately stacked so that the height of the stack at the opposed ends thereof are rendered substantially uniform. Accordingly as noted in FIG. 1, the open end portion of the respective bags 10 are alternately disposed.

Within the housing a means 29 is disposed for effecting the dispensing of the uppermost bag 10A of the stack each time a coin is deposited. In the illustrated form of the invention the dispensing means 29 comprises a carrier 30 which is movably mounted on the backwall 23 of the housing. The carrier 30 is defined as an L-shaped rod member in which one leg portion 30A thereof is rotatably journaled between a pair of spaced brackets 3l-31 which are connected to the rear wall 23. The other leg portion 308 of the carrier 30 extends inwardly of the housing so as to be disposed above the uppermost bag 10A of the stack. Rotatably journaled to the extended end of the carrier is a dispensing wheel 32. As shown, the wheel 32 is rotatably journaled in a suitable bearing 33 carried on the extended end of the carrier 30. A motor means 34 is operatively connected to the wheel 32 to drive the dispensing wheel 32 each time the motor 34 is energized.

Because of the inherent characteristic of the material from which the plastic bags are made, an important consideration of this invention is that the force which the dispensing wheel 32 is required to exert against the uppermost bag 10A of the stack must be such that only the uppermost bag 10A is dispensed or peeled off the top of the stack each time that the dispensing wheel is actuated. This force is controlled by counterbalancing or biasing the dispensing wheel in a manner now to be described. A counterbalancing or biasing means in the form of a coil spring 35 is disposed about the leg portion 30A of the carrier 30. As shown, one end 35A of the spring 35 is fixedly secured to a supporting bracket 31 of the carrier. The other end 358 of the spring 35 is secured to a collar 36 which is rotatably journaled about the leg portion 30A of the carrier 30. As shown, a set screw 37 is provided to fixedly secure the collar 36 in an adjusted position to the leg portion 30A of the carrier. Accordingly it will be noted that by effecting rotation of the collar 36 about the leg of the carrier, that the tension of the spring can be adjusted thereby varying the force which the carrier will cause the wheel 32 carried thereon to bear on the bags 10.

In this manner the tension of the spring 35 can be adjusted the amount desired to effect individual dispensing of the uppermost bag each time the dispensing wheel is energized. Expcrience has shown that a force of one-half lb. pressure has proven to be satisfactory.

The circuit 39 by which the dispensing wheel is energized when a coin is deposited is illustrated in FIG.'3. As shown therein a normally open coin switch 40 is disposed in the line 41 to the motor means 34 so as to be in series therewith. A normally closed bag actuated switch 42 is also connected in line 41 in series with the normally open coin actuating switch 40. A normally open relay switch 43 is connected in parallel to the coin switch 40 with the coil 44 of the relay being disposed in parallel to the motor 34.

In accordance with this invention the circuit 39 is'also provided with means for indicating when the number of bags in the stack falls below a predetermined limit and/or when the bags are to be replenished. Such indicating means may comprise a light 45 which is physically disposed behind a legend 46 reading Empty" located at an appropriate position on the front of the housing. As noted in the circuit diagram of FIG. 3, the indicating light 45 is electrically connected in line 46 which connects to one terminal 47 of a double-pole, doublethrow switch 48 which has the normally closed terminals disposed in line 41. In the illustrated position of FIG. 3 the double-pole, double-throw switch 48 is normally in closed position when a stack or supply of shopping bags are disposed within the housing. Physically double-pole switch 48 is disposed in the path of travel of bags 30B. Connected to the carrier 30 is an actuatory 48A which will function to actuate switch 48 to open line 41 and close the circuit to the light 45 whenever the bag supply is exhausted or nearly so. Thus when the switch 48 is actuated from its normally closed position as shown to engage contact 47, the circuit to the motor is opened, and the circuit to the indicating light is closed. When the circuit to the light 45 is made, the actuation of the dispensing means 29 is rendered impossible until a new supply of bags is disposed within the housing at which time the actuator 48A permits switch 48 to return to its normal position as shown in FIG. 3.

The operation of the dispenser 15 is as follows. A stack of plastic bags are disposed within the housing 16 so as to be located below the dispensing wheel 32. With the stack of bags disposed within the housing and the wheel 32 resting on the uppermost bag 10A of the stack, a single bag will be automatically dispensed or peeled off the top of the stack each time a coin is deposited into the coin slot 49 of the coin meter. Whenever a coinof proper denomination is inserted into the coin slot 49 of the coin meter, the coin will actuate a coin switch 40, to momentarily close the circuit to the motor and the relay coil in parallel therewith whereupon the relay coil maintains the relay switch 43 in a closed position so long as the relay coil is energized. With the relay switch 43 closed-current will flow from the source, through the normally closed bag switch 42 and closed relay switch 43 to the motor 34. With the motor 34 energized, the dispensing wheel will rotate, and in doing so will peel off the uppermost bag 10A of the stack. As the uppermost bag 10A is being peeled off, it is directed over the apron 26 toward the dispensing slot 28 of the dispenser. As best seen in FIG. 1, the bag actuating switch 42 is located on the apron 26 of the bottom wall and it is positioned so as to be actuated by the leading end of the bag as the trailing end of the bag clears or moves out from the engagement with the dispensing wheel 32. As soon as the leading edge of the bag engages the normally closed bag actuating switch 42 to open the same, the circuit to the motor 34 is opened, thereby causing the motor to be deenergized and the rotation of the dispensing wheel 32 to cease. Since the uppermost bag 10A has advanced beyond engagement with the dispensing wheel 32, the bag is positioned so that it will fall to the slot 28 by gravity, and as the bag passes switch 42 the latter will move to its normally closed position to ready the circuit for the next dispensing operation. Thus each time a coin is deposited in the coin slot 49 of the coin meter, a bag will be successively dispensed one at a time. When the last bag has been dispensed the weight of the carrier 30, the dispensing roller 32 and motor 34 supported thereon will cause the double-pole, double-throw switch 48 to be actuated by the actuator 48A whereby the circuit to the motor is open and the circuit to the indicating light is closed. When the light 45 is energized the operator will know that the supply of bags within the dispenser are or are about to be exhausted, and that the dispenser is ready for loading. As a new stack or supply of bags is disposed in the dispenser, the carrier and the wheel therein are raised thereby causing the double-pole, double-throw switch 48 to beautomatically returned to its initial position wherein circuit to the indicating light 45 is opened and the circuit to the motor means placed in readiness to dispense the uppermost bag whenever a coin is deposited in the coin meter.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the dispensing apparatus comprises a relatively simple and positive means whereby plastic bags can be readily dispensed one at a time each time a coin is deposited in the dispenser. The arrangement is such that the dispensing wheel is arranged so as to bear upon the uppermost bag 10A of the stack of shopping bags with a predetermined force which insures that only an individual bag will be dispensed each time the dispensing wheel is actuated, and that the circuit is actuated only when a proper coin of proper denomination has been deposited in the coin slot 49.

FIGS. 5,6 and 7 illustrate a modified form of the invention. The embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 7 is particularly adapted to dispensing magazine type articles. In this form the dispenser 60 comprises a housing 61 defined by a rear wall 62 a connected bottom wall 63, and enclosing side and front walls 63 and 64 respectively. A top wall 65 and a base support 66 complete the housing enclosure 61.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the bottom wall 63 is angled downwardly toward the rear wall at a slight angle and the front edge is provided with a deepening apron 67 terminating with an upwardly turned lip portion 68. The lip portion 68 is arranged to communicate with an opening 69 formed in the front wall 64, in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1. The bottom wall is preferably sloped as illustrated so that the stack of magazines supported thereon can be tilted slightly so as to incline toward the rear wall.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is connected to the rear wall 62 a vertically disposed guide rod 70 suitably connected in supporting brackets 72. Disposed to either side of the guide rod is a guide member 73, 74 arranged to define a guiding slot 75 substantially coextensive the length of the guide rod 70.

A dispensing means 76 is disposed within the housing so as to be vertically moved along the length of the guide rod 70. Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7 the dispensing means 76 comprises a pair of laterally extending arms 77, the free ends of which are provided with a bearing 78 by which the dispensing means 76 is slidably disposed on the guide rod. The bearings 78 are arranged so as to be disposed in free sliding relationship with respect to the rod 70 so that the weight of the dispenser will cause it to fall or ride therealong. Also the bearings 78 allow for the dispenser means 76 to be angularly rotated or displaced as will be hereinafter described to facilitate loading of the housing 61.

Connected between the projected ends of the arms 77 is a gear housing 78 which supports the axle 79 and the dispensing wheels 80 supported thereon. Connected to the housing also is a motor drive 81, e.g. the windings of an electric motor. The output shaft of the motor 81 is suitably connected through a suitable gear train to the wheel means 78, 80 so asto effect the drive thereof whenever the motor 81 is energized. In the arrangement illustrated the weight of the dispensing means will cause the wheels 80-80 to be disposed in rolling engagement with the uppermost magazine of the stack. Thus as each magazine is dispensed from the top of the stack, the dispensing means will be lowered onto the next succeeding magazine by gravity.

The electric wire connecting the motor 81 in an electric circuit comprises a coiled extension 82 which is arranged to extend as the dispenser means falls as the stack of magazines diminishes.

Secured to the upper end of the gear housing to extend forwardly thereof is a tongue 83 which functions to guide the magazine being peeled off the top of the stack toward the dispensing channel 84 defined between the apron 67 and the front wall 64. As shown the leading end of the tongue is downwardly bent to engage the leading edge of the dispensing magazine to bend it toward channel 84, thus facilitating the peeling of the uppermost magazine from the stack when the motor is energized. Because of the tongue the leading edge of the magazine can be smoothly guided toward the discharge opening 69.

Referring to FIG. 5, one of the guide members 74 is constructed so as to extend above the end of the other guide member 73. Accordingly to facilitate loading of the dispenser housing 61 with a stack of articles after the stack has been depleted, the operator is merely required to raise the dispensing means 76 to a position wherein the lower support arm 77 is above the upper end of the respective guide members 73, 74. In this position the dispensing means 76 is angularly rotatable about the guide rod so that the lower arm 77 can be brought to rest on the end of guide member 74. In this manner the dispenser means 76 can be supported in an out of the way position as the dispenser housing is reloaded or restacked with another supply of magazines or the like. When the stack has been replenished, the dispensing means is again repositioned so that the wheels 80 are disposed in rolling engagement with the uppermost article of the stack S.

In this form of the invention the circuit by which the dispensing wheels 80 are activated is energized when an appropriate coin is deposited, and it is somewhat similar to the circuit described with respect to FIG. 3. However, in this form of the invention the magazine limit switch 48A, which is com parable to limit switch 48 of FIG. 3, is physically located on the bottom wall 63. The arrangement is such that limit switch 48A is a normally opened spring loaded switch which is maintained or biased toward a circuit closing position by the weight of the stack of magazines. The loading of the switch 48A is such that the circuit to the drive motor 81 is opened whenever the stack of magazines S is depleted or falls below a predetermined height. In all other respects the circuit and the operation thereof is similar to that described with respect to FIG, 3.

A stack of magazines or other stackable commodity is loaded onto the bottom wall 63 through a suitable access opening provided in'the housing 61. When loading is required the dispensing means 76 is in a raised position and supported on the upper end of guide member 74 in an out of the way position. With the magazines properly stacked within the housing 61, the dispensing means is moved to an unsupported position wherein the wheels 80 are disposed in rolling engagement with theuppermost article. In this position switch means 48A has been reset to its circuit closing position, or as indicated by switch 48 in FIG. 3.

With the stack of magazines loaded and the drive wheels 80 resting thereon, a single magazine or article will be dispensed or peeled off the top of the stack each time a proper coin is deposited in a suitable coin slot provided on the housing 61. When such a coin is deposited the coin will actuate the coin switch 40 as hereinbefore described to momentarily close the circuit to the motor 81; and a relay coil in circuit therewith. When the relay coil 44 is energized the relay switch 43 is closed and maintained closed so long as the coil 44 remains energized. With the relay switch closed the current will flow through the closed limit switch 48A and the normally closed magazine actuating switch 42A located on the apron of the bottom wall, which is comparable to bag switch 42 of FIGS. 1 and 3', and the relay switch 43 to activate the motor 81. When the motor is activated, the wheels 80 are driven. In doing so the rotating wheels cause the uppermost article to be peeled off the stack and it is directed over the apron 67 toward the discharge opening 69.

As in FIG. 1 an actuating switch 42A is located on the apron so as to be activated by the leading edge of the dispensing article as the trailing edge of the magazine clears or moves out from under the driving wheels 80. As soon as the leading end of the magazine makes contact with switch 42A, it opens the switch 42A to open the circuit to the motor; thereby causing the motor to deenergize and the rotation of the wheels to cease. Since the uppermost article has cleared or advanced beyond the drive wheels 80, the magazine is thus positioned so that it will fall to the discharge opening 69 by gravity; and as the magazine moves beyond switch 42A, the latter will be activated toward its normally closed position to reset the circuit for the next dispensing operation. Thus each time a proper coin is deposited, the operation will be repeated.

When the last magazine has been dispensed or when the column falls below a predetermined limit as determined by the bias of switch 48A, the circuit to the motor will open, thereby prohibiting the dispensing of any further articles until the stack has been replenished. As previously described, an indicating light 45 may be wired into the circuit to provide a visible indication as to when the stack is to be resupplied.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the operation of the respective embodiments illustrated and described is somewhat similar, and that each accomplishes its specific function in a relatively simple and positive manner.

While the invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What l claim is: l. A magazine dispenser for individually dispensing a magazine comprising:

a housing having a backwall and a connected bottom wall for supporting a stack of magazines within said housing, a coin actuated dispensing means disposed within said housing for dispensing the uppermost magazine of said stack,

said dispensing means including a movable assembly including a motor means and a wheel means operatively connected to said motor means, the wheel means of said assembly being disposed in rolling engagement with the uppermost magazine of said stack,

means for guiding said assembly between a raised and lowered position as the magazines are dispensed,

support means for maintaining said assembly in the raised position during a loading operation,

a circuit means operatively connected to the motor means of said assembly,

said circuit means including a coin operated switch means for energizing said motor means when a coin is deposited, and a normally closed deactivating switch adapted to be actuated by the dispensed magazine to deactivate said motor means upon the dispensing of said magazine,

and means disposed in said circuit to automatically open said circuit when the stack of magazines falls below a predetermined level.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a vertically disposed guide rod connected to the backwall of said housing in spaced relationship thereto,

and said assembly including a laterally extending arm for supporting said motor means and associated wheel means,

bearing means connected to the free end of said arm,

said bearing means slidably supporting said assembly on said guide rod whereby said assembly is free to move vertically and angularly about said guide rod.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said support means includes:

limiting guide members disposed on either side of said guide rod to define a guide slot extending substantially the length of said guide rod for receiving said arm,

at least one said limiting guide terminating below the upper end of said guide rod, whereby said assembly can be supported on the end of said limiting guide members by swinging said arm angularly of said guide rod.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a front wall and said bottom wall including a depending apron terminating in the lip, said apron being spaced from said front wall to define a channel for receiving the dispensing magazine:

means forming a discharge opening disposed adjacent said lip through which said magazine is discharged,

and means projecting forwardly of said assembly for guiding the magazine being dispensed from said stack.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said latter means comprises a tongue connected to said assembly, said tongue having its free end angularly bent for guiding said magazine being dispensed into said channel.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said deactivating switch is disposed on said apron in the path of the magazine being dispensed so as to be actuated by the dispensing magazine.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for automatically opening said circuit comprises a switch means dispensed below the stack of said magazines which is maintained closed by the weight of said stack.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel means includes a pair of spaced-apart wheels each being disposed in rolling engagement with the uppermost magazine. 

1. A magazine dispenser for individually dispensing a magazine comprising: a housing having a backwall and a connected bottom wall for supporting a stack of magazines within said housing, a coin actuated dispensing means disposed within said housing for dispensing the uppermost magazine of said stack, said dispensing means including a movable assembly including a motor means and a wheel means operatively connected to said motor means, the wheel means of said assembly being disposed in rolling engagement with the uppermost magazine of said stack, means for guiding said assembly between a raised and lowered position as the magazines are dispensed, support means for maintaining said assembly in the raised position during a loading operation, a circuit means operatively connected to the motor means of said assembly, said circuit means including a coin operated switch means for energizing said motor means when a coin is deposited, and a normally closed deactivating switch adapted to be actuated by the dispensed magazine to deactivate said motor means upon the dispensing of said magazine, and means disposed in said circuit to automatically open said circuit when the stack of magazines falls below a predetermined level.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a vertically disposed guide rod connected to the backwall of said housing in spaced relationship thereto, and said assembly including a laterally extending arm for supporting said motor means and associated wheel means, bearing means connected to the free end of said arm, said bearing means slidably supporting said assembly on said guide rod whereby said assembly is free to move vertically and angularly about said guide rod.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said support means includes: limiting guide members disposed on either side of said guide rod to define a guide slot extending substantially the length of said guide rod for receiving said arm, at least one said limiting guide terminating below the upper end of said guide rod, whereby said assembly can be supported on the end of said limiting guide members by swinging said arm angularly of said guide rod.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a front wall and said bottom wall including a depending apron terminating in the lip, said apron being spaced from said front wall to define a channel for receiving the dispensing magazine: means forming a discharge opening disposed adjacent said lip through which said magazine is discharged, and means projecting forwardly of said assembly for guiding the magazine being dispensed from said stack.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said latter means comprises a tongue connected to said assembly, said tongue having its free end angularly bent for guiding said magazine being dispensed into said channel.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said deactivating switch is disposed on said apron in the path of the magazine being dispensed so as to be actuated by the dispensing magazine.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for automatically opening said circuit comprises a switch means dispensed below the stack of said magazines which is maintained closed by the weight of said stack.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel means includes a pair of spaced-apart wheels each being disposed in rolling engagement with the uppermost magazine. 